At long last, Bloodline is starting to show glimpses of the kind of show it can be when it comes out from under the shadow of Danny Rayburn (don’t get me wrong, though; Ben Mendelsohn is such a huge presence on this show that he gets second billing, despite being dead). It’s no coincidence that “Part 16” is the most narratively propulsive episode of Bloodline‘s second season. What little Danny we get in this installment is really just a roundabout introduction of a new antagonist.
That would be Ozzy Delvecchio, played by John Leguizamo, who ruins literally everything he’s in. He might be one of the most annoying actors on the planet – can anyone still watch the wretched Moulin Rouge? – falling back on the same tics (which usually just means he lisps when he’s doing comedy). Here, he actually acquits himself nicely, even if Ozzy never even pretends to be trustworthy. There’s a smirk seemingly plastered onto Leguizamo’s face, and yet, there’s an air of real menace when he tells Eric O’Bannon, “I got my own thing with the Rayburns.”
That’s what “Part 16” does better than the previous two installments: drop facades. Cards are laid on the table, and nowhere is this more compelling than in John’s storyline. In the first season, it was easy to see why Danny harbored such a grudge against John: he could be self-righteous and sanctimonious. Here, in the wake of Danny’s murder, that edifice is crumbling.
John proves to be just as manipulative as Danny was, which is quickly becoming an identifiable Rayburn trait. John straight-up threatens Eric, as well as his sister Chelsea, in a bid to get their cooperation. This in turn forces Wayne Lowry to strike a deal, and John might as well look at the camera when he says, “If we take this deal, Danny’s case goes cold.” It’s a nice, chilling moment, one that the show wisely doesn’t linger on. John is good at feigning ambivalence, and it’s a major strength of Bloodline that his transformation has been so compelling.
Elsewhere, Kevin’s transformation isn’t so successful. He’s holed up in a motel room, fearing for his life after being threatened and Tased by the men he sells cocaine to. Norbert Leo Butz continues to impress; he lacks the levelheadedness of Danny or John, and is given to making impulsive, ill-considered decisions. In the end, he sneaks out of the room while Meg is on the phone, and is driving to God knows where. The song playing on the radio might be too obvious by half, but it’s effective nevertheless, as the chorus goes “I’ll turn you into me.”
Bloodline is doing a good job of giving its supporting cast more to do. Butz has been mentioned, but I was also very impressed by Jamie McShane’s performance as Eric. Eric could easily be a one-note character – and oftentimes he is – but McShane relishes the chance to play the paranoid, desperate iteration of Eric. It makes him a more interesting character. I’ve talked about Owen Teague’s work as Nolan in the past before, and he continues to flesh out the proto-Danny that he’s written as.
But the biggest surprise of “Part 16” might have been the scene between Diana and Sally, wherein Diana calls Sally out for seeming only to care about Danny. Granted, the scene doesn’t tell us anything we didn’t already know, but it’s the most screen time that Jacinda Barrett has had all season, and she does a great job with it. And kudos to Sissy Spacek for being willing to make Sally so unlikable here. She blames everyone but Danny for Danny’s actions, and leaves when Diana starts saying things she doesn’t want to hear. If this keeps up, Sally could become redundant, but it’s a nice humanizing moment.
“Part 16” laid the groundwork for solid future episodes – the introduction of Ozzy, the disappearance of Kevin, and the continuing corruption of John all make for interesting plotlines. It’s encouraging to see the show re-assert its identity; if it can firmly establish it, it would be nothing less than a miracle.
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